Emergency Medical Services: Paramedic
This degree prepares you to offer pre-hospital care as a paramedic under structured guidelines in emergency situations.
This is a G3 program. Students may qualify for free tuition, fees and books.
Career Pathway
Program Dean
Faculty Contact
Academic Advisors
April Pannell
Student last name starts with A-L
Tesia Moore
Student last name starts with M-Z
Program
Credit Hours
Program Information
The problem-solving process is used to direct care outcomes. The curriculum consists of both general studies and EMS courses.
- Accreditation
The Piedmont Virginia Community College Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Education Programs (CAAHEP).
CAAHEP
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: (727) 210-2350- Program Outcomes
Year NR Written Exam Pass Rate NR Skills Exam Pass Rate Retention Positive Placement 2023 91.7% 100% 68.2% 100% 2022 83.3% 100% 60% 83.3% 2021 100% 100% 26% 100% 2020 100% 100% 60.7% 88.2% 2019 100% 100% 77.3% 88.2% 2018 82% 100% 77% 100% 2017 88% 100% 78.6% 83% 2016 86% 100% 82% 100% - National Registry Exam and Virginia Certification
EMS program graduates are eligible to sit for the national registry exam, which is offered throughout the year. Upon successful completion of this examination, candidates receive their National Registry Paramedic certification. This is required prior to applying for the reciprocity as a Virginia paramedic. The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services will only grant certification as a paramedic in Virginia through initial certification and reciprocity afforded through the National Registry.
- Occupational Objectives
Employment opportunities for National Registry/Virginia-licensed paramedics include hospital emergency rooms, rescue squads, ambulance companies and other public and private agencies providing pre-hospital care.
Admission Requirements
- Paramedic Admissions Information Book
In addition to admission to the college, students must also meet eligibility requirements specific to this program, and only a limited number of students are admitted into a given cohort. If there are more applicants during a cycle than there are available positions in the cohort, eligible applicants will be ranked according to specific criteria and students are admitted or deferred according to that rank.
Please see the Admissions Information Book below for program requirements, minimum eligibility requirements, applicant ranking criteria, and other important information for prospective students.
Paramedic A.A.S. Admissions Information Book Fall 2026 Cycle
- Pre-Admission Transcript Evaluation Process
Pre-Admission Transcript Evaluation Process for Allied Health Programs
- Information Sessions
Information sessions are provided each application cycle for prospective students. The purpose of these sessions is to help students to decide if this program and profession will be right for them, and to walk students through the application and admissions process. Attendees will also be able to ask the faculty questions about the program and the profession.
Attendance at an information session is strongly encouraged for all students. Refer to the current Admissions Information Book for information regarding whether your application will be ranked based on attendance.
Space is limited and registration is required for attendance. Please register via SignUp for one of the information sessions. Register for a virtual session or register for an in-person session.
The following dates have been scheduled for the Spring 2026 semester:
Apply for Admission
Applications are accepted through the Health and Life Sciences Application Portal. Hardcopy applications and applications received outside of the portal will not be considered for admission. Applying to other health sciences programs has no impact on an applicant’s qualifications for this program. Applications for previous years are not valid for current or future application years.
All applicants must be current PVCC students to begin their health sciences application. If you are not a current PVCC student, please click the “Apply Now” link at the top of this page and complete a VCCS/PVCC application.
Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort open at 9:00am on February 2, 2026 and will close at 5:00pm on July 1, 2026.
Sign into the Health and Life Sciences Application Portal to begin your application.
Graduation Requirements
Students in all degree programs are required to take at least one Civic Engagement (CE) course to graduate.